Clearwater holds 100% of the Canadian offshore lobster harvesting licenses. The offshore lobster fishery operates fifty miles from the coast of Nova Scotia and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) sets the total allowable catch (TAC) amount. In addition to quota controls, the offshore lobster fishery is subject to a series of other management measures. Lobsters under the minimum legal size of retention (82.5 mm carapace length) and berried (egg-bearing) females are returned. Escape vents allow non-target species and juvenile lobster to escape and biodegradable panels mitigate the impact of ‘ghost’ fishing if gear is lost. Market demand for a wide range of lobster sizes encourages selection of animals from a wide range of size classes, reducing the pressure on any single size group. Clearwater targets lobster only at times of the year when quality is highest and only hardshell lobsters are retained. This eliminates pressure on recently moulted and softshell animals. Clearwater has also implemented a voluntary maximum size limit.
Clearwater also purchases lobster from inshore lobster fishermen in the Canadian Maritimes. The inshore fishery takes place within 50 miles of shore and is managed through input controls in each Lobster Fishing Area around the coast. Management measures include seasonal openings, restricted entry to the fishery, a limited number of traps per fishermen, minimum legal size of retention, mandatory trap escape vents for juveniles and protection for egg-bearing females.
Lobsters are caught with baited traps. Traps are set on the ocean bottom with openings to allow lobsters in, and escape vents to allow undersized lobsters out. The bottom impact associated with trap fishing is minor. The nature of trap fishing selects for lobsters and other crustaceans so finfish bycatch is minimal. Clearwater ‘s ongoing gear research program is testing additional modifications to further reduce bycatch below already low levels.
Clearwater has developed and utilizes the industry’s only lobster meat scanning technology. This technology ensures we are able to deliver on Clearwater’s ‘full-meated’ guarantee.
Clearwater employs a team of biologists who apply biological science and technology to perfect handling and storage systems and maintain lobster quality and health.
Once the lobsters reach shore, careful attention is of utmost importance. Clearwater is the inventor of the world’s first lobster-friendly Dryland Pound Storage System, which has enabled Clearwater to supply premium hardshell lobster anywhere in the world, any time of year.
The system replicates the dark, winter-like conditions of the crustaceans’ natural habitat. This encourages the lobsters to hibernate and preserves their fresh-caught taste and quality. By nature lobsters are solitary creatures. The system stores one lobster per compartment, ensuring they feel safe and secure from predators. The environment is free of chemicals and antibiotics and every hour, over five million litres of icy-fresh, nutrient-rich sea water cascades through the patented “lobster-friendly” compartments. Lobsters are very much affected by stress. Stress lowers their blood protein levels, negatively affecting the eating quality in both the taste and texture. By minimizing stress, Clearwater is able to maintain the perfection of a fully-meated Canadian lobster at the peak of its fresh-caught taste, until it is ready to be served.